Police probes deaths at mental health trust as chief exec announces departure

Sussex Police are looking into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of three men and a woman in units run by Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust.

The trust has also announced that its chief executive, Lisa Rodrigues, is to step down to pursue personal goals.

Inquiries began following the death of Sussex Police Sergeant Richard Bexhell, who was found hanged at the Woodlands unit in Hastings and later died in hospital in August 2009.

John Blair, 40, from Hastings, was found hanged in his room at the same unit in October. Susanna Anley, 35, died in the Woodlands unit in April 2008 and Michael Stevens, 53, from Lancing, hanged himself in his room at the Meadowfield unit in Worthing.

An inquest into his death last year heard Mr Stevens, a hospital porter, was able to hang himself following a “breakdown in communication” and a failure to implement observation policies.

Inquests into the deaths of the other three patients have yet to be heard.

Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust said in a statement: “We are fully supporting the police with their investigations and will continue to help them. The four deaths have been the subject of detailed reviews in line with our own internal policies and the requirements of our regulator, the Care Quality Commission.

“These reviews do not always highlight failings; in many instances it is only with hindsight that it is possible to identify potential changes or improvements. When we do identify a failing, however, we take action and ensure that changes are made to address it.

In a separate statement regarding the departure of Ms Rodrigues, the trust said she would continue to lead it until August.

Ms Rodrigues said: “I will be taking a break from top level NHS management to concentrate on fulfilling some personal goals including a 1,000 mile bike ride with my husband and writing two books.

“I am very much looking forward to my new life but I will miss Sussex Partnership. The enthusiasm and dedication of staff at the trust to continue improving services is second to none and a credit to the NHS.”

Ms Rodrigues was appointed to Sussex Partnership in January 2006, having been chief executive of two predecessor trusts since 2001.